Amateur photographer contest winners announced

The winners of the amateur photographer contest have been announced and Steve Dutt of Surrey has been named the Next Generation Amateur Photographer of the Year.

He won the title as part of the Your Best Shot contest, presented by London Drugs, Black Press and the Abbotsford International Airshow.

The contest generated more than 2,100 entries from around B.C. and 75 finalists were brought to the Abbotsford International Airshow to compete for the top prizes in a variety of categories.

The finalists were given VIP access to the annual airshow and asked to submit photos in four categories, best air photo, best static photo, best crowd shot and wildcard. In addition, the public had the opportunity to vote for their favourite in the People’s Choice award.

In addition to being named the top amateur photographer, Dutt won for best crowd photo and received a $250 gift certificate to London Drugs.

Paul Kendall of Abbotsford won a $500 London Drugs gift certificate for shooting the best static photo.

Ken McAllister of Surrey won a $750 gift certificate for taking the best air photo.

All three received tickets to the upcoming Alan Jackson concert and a couple of bonus Surrey golf passes.

Kendall, who was part of the competition for the second time, said he took his winning photo by mounting his camera onto a painter’s pole he had altered for the purpose.

Though he couldn’t see through his viewfinder, Kendall was hoping to find a different point of view than other contestants, as they were all working with the same subject matter. For a photographer who usually shoots nature and landscapes, shooting with no vision was a new experience.

“It was a gamble and it paid off.”

Left to right:

President of the Abbotsford International Airshow: Jim Reith

Best Air Photo Winner: Ken McAllister, Surrey

Store Manager London Drugs: Edwin Chang

Publisher : Jim Mihaly

Left to right:

TOP THREE AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ken McAllister, Surrey: Best Air Photo Award

Paul Kendall, Abbotsford: Best Static Photo Award

Steve Dutt, Surrey: Next Generation Amateur Photographer of the Year (and Best Crowd Photo)